22 Jul 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Bob Golding, pantomime legend, Alban Arena patron, CBeebies’ Tweenies star, and now co-host of The Norbert and Cedric Podcast.
Where do you most like to have a picnic in St Albans?
I’ve often mentioned my love for St Albans and I hope these answers will only add to proving that love.
For many years when my older kids were little we used to take a picnic to ‘the secret garden’ as we called it. Situated at the bottom of Waxhouse Gate next to the Cathedral.
We later found out it was called The Vintry Garden and learned it’s where monks grew grapes to make their wine. It really feels like a little escape from the noises of the market and all the bustle of the city centre, we still go there now just to chill. I must also mention that we have often taken blankets and sandwiches to the ruins at Sopwell Nunnery too. Very peaceful (if you sit by the ruins themselves).
What is your most-missed St Albans shop, pub, café or restaurant?
Many moons ago there was a gorgeous little underground bar underneath what is now the Wetherspoons Waterend barn.
It was called ‘Hot Coles’ (spelt like the jazz album of the same name).
It was a real hidden treasure , lots of red velvet drapes and low lighting giving it a really classy salubrious feel. I think St Albans lends itself to those kind of secret venues and I really miss that vibe there. I also miss Kyriakos Greek restaurant that used to be on Holywell Hill.
Are things getting better or worse?
Ha ha! I think this could be taken as a slightly leading question… I don’t think I’m being particularly controversial by stating that the planet’s supposed ‘leaders’ don’t seem to have the planet’s occupants as their main concern do they, so I guess the less I address that in this answer, the better.
On a personal level I’m the happiest I’ve ever been right now. Work life/family/friends life balance is spot on, and I’m surrounding myself with the absolute best people I know.
It has been a tough couple of years though, losing both my parents and everything that comes with that loss has been overwhelming to say the least. They say you can’t enjoy the rainbow without the rain don’t they? And I definitely feel life for me is finally more colourful now and yes ‘getting better all the time’.
What’s your favourite St Albans pub?
I have loved most of the city’s pubs… The White Lion , ‘The Fighters’ , The Six Bells, The Lower Red Lion and the Garibaldi were firm faves for a good 16 or 17 years, But in more recent years I’ve fallen for the charms of Dylan’s at the King’s Arms on George Street. I think I have a man crush on Roberto!
When have you been most scared?
March 31 1990. I was working front of house as a barman at the Albery Theatre on St Martin’s Lane in central London and witnessed the poll tax riots from the circle bar windows.
We had a full house of 900 people watching the matinee of Blood Brothers in and there was a full scale riot erupting directly in front of the theatre. Cars on fire, police horses being attacked and all the shops were being looted and smashed up. Myself and another colleague managed to rescue an elderly couple who’d accidentally got mixed up in the riot, we quickly opened the front glass panelled doors and ushered them up to our bar for a sit down and a drink.
It was an incredibly scary thing to witness… an angry mob destroying everything in front of them. Luckily we managed to get everyone out safely after the fires were put out and the riot had subsided.
Where do you buy your coffee in St Albans?
During panto last year I lived in an apartment at the bottom of Holywell Hill and walked up the hill every day passing ‘Baruccio’ … it’s absolutely brilliant ! Delicious coffee and extremely friendly staff who also serve wine and Italian small plates in the evening. Highly recommend!
What’s your favourite St Albans car park?
I love this question! Ha ha! I don’t think I’ve ever sounded more like my dad by giving a solid review of a car park.
Car parks are one of my biggest gripes actually. They always seem so badly designed never allowing enough movement to turn or manoeuvre and almost always overpriced. With that in mind, rather than my favourite, I think my least awful of the St Albans parking facilities is probably the Keyfield Terrace car park. It’s tucked away and yet really central at the same time. If you can get a space it’s got good access and it’s not a great big ugly multi storey lump of concrete.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken?
Well, after reaching for my specs (supplied by my mate Jez Levy at EYES on St Albans in The Quadrant) I limp downstairs, (I’m over 55 these days you know !) and switch on our bean to cup coffee machine. I used to be a tea man, but after spending a lot of last summer in New York I was totally converted to the way of the bean. Now I can’t function without my morning coffee… once I’ve had that coffee I can start my day.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
I stumbled across a wonderful little cocktail bar a few months ago. It’s really tucked away down a little courtyard off George Street. It’s called ‘No Nuisance’ and I couldn’t praise it more. Award-winning cocktails and a really charismatic owner/bartender. To be fair St Albans and the surrounding areas are full of hidden gems ! (I also love the De Havilland Museum).
Who was your favourite cartoon character when you were a kid?
Captain Caveman! Anyone who can enter a room and scream their name and job title out at the top of their voice is cool by me ! Imagine if we all did that ? “DAAAAAAAAVETHEPLUMBER!!”
Much fun.
